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Well, I did it again. I mistakenly thought another playoff win would earn Joe Cool a little more cred. Alas, no such luck. I still wake up Monday morning to a whole new world of comments about “WHY JOE IS REPLACABLE.”

Well yeah, that’s easy. Watch anyone for long enough and you’ll start to be annoyed by something or another, but here’s the kind of fan I am: I give Unconditional Quarterback Love. Why? Because someone has to. Quarterbacks are either the hero or the pariah, and to say that Joe has been underrated is an understatement.

I could not agree more that the offense needs to step up to take on Brady and New England Sunday. With only 227 yards of total offense and 8 three-and-outs against the Texans, we relied heavily on the defense and the Texans’ turnovers that led to scores. But that can’t be a surprise to anyone—we’re the Ravens.

Joe Flacco finished 14-of-27 for 176 yards and two touchdowns. And while critics say he isn’t on the same level with the defense, can we honestly say that the quarterback rating really says it all?

How about the fact that we’ve moved on to the AFC championship for the first time since 2008. Or that we’re a run-dominated offense, that’s never relied on a Manning-type arm to win games. Besides, when Flacco throws often, we end up with turnovers.

Bottom line for me, Joe is a great game manager. And more than that, he has a fantastic arm. That Evans catch against the Texans? Pure insanity. He can make the big plays. We’ve seen it. It’s helped us get the record that we have. There’s absolutely no way we’d be going to the AFC Championships next week without Flacco.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s room for improvement, but there isn’t any empirical evidence that says to me: Replace Joe Flacco if you really want to win.

We’re always going to be the underdogs anyway… At least according to analysts (we know what’s up, though). I think Senor Sizzle said it best, “It wasn't really pretty, but hey, we're not really a pretty team. We got the 'W,' and on to the AFC championship."

B-more fans need to stop expecting Flacco to show up as a different QB. He isn’t Rodgers, Tebow or Manning; he’s Baltimore’s Quarterback.

And he may not be pretty, but I love him unconditionally anyway.

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I agree with you 100%. you show me another QB with the same season record and post season appearances. Like you said...he ain't no Rodgers (which will be watching from his couch!!) but he's no Dilfer either. he shows glimmers of greatness. Will he ever become the "Elite" QB? Who knows. The fact is..no matter how ugly the game was last sunday, we still got another "W". Flacco has the potential to be a great QB, i just hope he fulfills that potential one day. Until then fickle B-more fans....be happy you're in the AFC Championship game...AGAIN...and give the guy a break and maybe some support. He was hurried and sacked all over the place...plus there were some key dropped passes. i don't see everyone picking on Torrey Smith for dropping passes.

I love, how in the defense of Joe, you make the statement "besides, when Flacco throws often we end up with turnovers." Exactly, because he is not a very good QB! He had one great game this year, the second one against the Steelers. That was it. Is there really anyone out there that wants Joe Flacco as their QB at the end of the game? Has anyone else noticed that the offense almost always sputters in the 2nd half. The other team figures out the game plan and he is lost. Also, the blockers can't open up running lanes when the opposing D is not afraid of the pass. They just pack the box. This is simple stuff folks. Flacco is definitely replaceable.

I agree!! I love Joe....wish people would stop the Joe bashing. I kept hearing the media say oh when he beats the Steelers (Ben) since the game in 2010 season was not won with Ben, that will earn him respect. He did that not once but twice, where is the love? I am happy we have Joe on our team and want him to stick around.